Comment: Helping the children be our future

THIS month sees the start of an ambitious literacy programme that is set to truly transform the futures of hundreds of youngsters in our island.

As our special report on pages 6 and 7 today reveals, the recently-launched charity Every Child Our Future has been in existence for just eight months but it is already poised to start improving the reading skills, and ultimately the lives, of primary school pupils who might otherwise struggle to achieve their full potential.

In this relatively short time, an army of volunteers has not only been recruited but made ready and equipped to offer vital one-to-one mentoring through the so-called ‘better reading partnership’.

Without their generosity and commitment, the scheme – the first of a three-wave approach from ECOF to improve reading and numeracy in our schools – would not be possible.

So just how has it been done?

The drive and enthusiasm of its founder, Denise Fallaize, has been key. A proven businesswoman, and a parent, she has been determined to play a part in tackling the literacy issues that can blight or at worst devastate progress and self-esteem from an early age.

Inspiring the community to support the vision has been a major coup, as has been getting the buy-in from Education and various parts of the business community who are allowing staff to take time out to help.

As the programme – similar to a successful UK scheme that has shown a real improvement in pupil performance – is rolled out over the coming months, that achievement is likely to become even more apparent.

Nothing is more precious than developing young minds and this seems set to be a living, breathing example of how inspirational people and all sectors of our community when prepared to listen and work together can make a real, tangible difference.

Hopefully, as highlighted at this week’s Community Awards and championed by Baroness Pitkeathley, more of such partnerships between the state and charities will be forged, launched and encouraged to flourish here in Guernsey.

MUCH of the interest in this week’s States debate on parochial church property stems not from the proposed law – which was studiously unambitious – but from the amendments it faces.
To have as many as four amendments to a projet at this stage is unusual and an indication that the long period of consultation, consideration and legal drafting has failed to satisfy some members that it has all been worth it.
The latest amendment is a fundamental shift not just to this law but could be said have far-reaching implications for one of the central principles of taxation.

WHILE done with the best of intentions, there is something uncomfortable about a large group of deputies writing to the Environment Department asking for it to grant permission for Green Acres Hotel to convert to a dementia care home.
The deputies, led by Matt Fallaize, argue that it is ‘entirely appropriate’ for representatives of the people to speak out collectively and unequivocally on a subject about which they feel strongly.
And yet. Should politicians seek to interfere with a quasi-judicial process which they have delegated to one department?

IF YOU believe the adage that ‘people living in greenhouses shouldn’t throw stones’, you might have been surprised at the reaction the Commerce and Employment Department received last week when it attempted to move forward with its ‘Digital Greenhouse’ plans.
Certainly the department’s board members and staff seemed shocked at the critical, bordering on hostile, reaction its plans received from the very people it thought would be enthusiastic users of the space it is so keen to open.
It would have been clear to see through the panes that all was not well.

THERE are many similarities between the draft Island Development Plan and the Personal Tax, Benefits and Pensions review.
Both are of huge importance and seek to set the agenda for years to come, both are a series of interlocking measures and both are of huge complexity.
But it is in how they are received that they share the greatest bond. Both encourage islanders to look at the big picture knowing that most people will choose first to examine how it directly affects them.